13 governors-elect meet Trump at White House ahead of inaugurations

President Donald Trump congratulates Governor- elect Ron DeSantis of Florida (L) on his win during a meeting with governors-elect at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Seated right is Governor- elect Kristi Noem of South Dakota. Photo by Chris Kleponis | License Photo

President Donald Trump meets with governors-elect at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Seated right is Governor- elect Kristi Noem of South Dakota. Photo by Chris Kleponis | License Photo

Governor-elect Brad Little of Idaho speaks during a meeting hosted by President Donald Trump with governors-elect at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo

Governor- elect J.B. Pritzker of Illinois participates in a meeting hosted by President Donald Trump with governors-elect at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo

Governor-elect Kristi Noem (C) of South Dakota speaks during a meeting hosted by President Donald Trump with governors-elect at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Seated right is Governor- elect Mike DeWine of Ohio. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 14 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump met at the White House Thursday with all the new governors-elect, to discuss some of the larger issues in their states.

"We have invited the nation's -- our great nation's -- newly elected governors," Trump said. "They're going to do a wonderful job."

Among the incoming leaders who met with the president Thursday are Ron DeSantis of Florida, Brian Kemp of Georgia, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Brad Little of Idaho, Albert Bryan of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Lou Guerrero of Guam,

DeSantis thanked Trump for his support in rebuilding Tyndall Air Force Base, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael in October.

"There are great folks there," DeSantis said.

The devastation from the hurricane made it clear that a new reservoir is needed south of Lake Okeechobee. DeSantis thanked Trump for supporting that project, but said the Army Corps of Engineers has taken too long.

Whitmer said she talked with Trump about increased spending for roads and relief from tariffs that are hurting the state's auto and farm industries -- and said she raised the issue of tariffs with Ross.

Whitmer also said she plans to meet with General Motors CEO Mary Barra next week and has a few suggestions about "future uses for the empty plant in Hamtramck, if the proposed GM [plant] closures go ahead."

"I ask you, President Trump, to please do not forget Guam out there," Guerrero said. "We're a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but I think we're the first line of defense for our country."

The United States has a military base in Guam.

Some newly-elected governors skipped the meeting, including Ned Lamont of Connecticut, who said he was too busy with transition issues -- and Laura Kelly of Kansas, who said she's busy preparing to take office next month.

During the meeting Thursday afternoon, Trump said he's narrowed the search for a new White House chief of staff to five names.